What Crew Members Say About Ben-Nevis

The 'Ben Nevis', a vessel previously detained at Aberdeen Harbour, has been officially released on October 30, 2020, following a thorough investigation regarding crew welfare. Initially held on October 5, the ship was prohibited from departing as authorities sought to address concerns surrounding the well-being of its crew. After further inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on October 30, it was determined that the issues prompting the ship's detention had been satisfactorily resolved. The owners of 'Ben Nevis' ensured that crew members were compensated, and those who required repatriation were safely returned home. Global Offshore, the operating company, demonstrated full cooperation throughout the inquiry and reassured stakeholders that crew wages were maintained without delay.

In a significant development, the 'Ben Nevis' was detained by authorities in Aberdeen on October 6, 2020, after docking at Blaikies Quay. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) took action to seize the offshore vessel following concerns regarding the living conditions of the crew. Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard, 10 have already returned to their home country, while the remaining 14 are still on the ship. The detention was initiated to conduct a thorough inspection in line with the Maritime Labour Convention, triggered by alarming reports about the crew's welfare. Additionally, claims surfaced indicating that the crew had not received their wages, with earnings reportedly overdue for four to five months, encompassing work conducted from April to August. Furthermore, it was alleged that some crew members had served beyond their initially agreed contracts. The operator of the ship stated that efforts are currently underway to settle the outstanding payments owed to the crew. Since June, the 'Ben Nevis' has been chartered to notable clients including logistics provider Peterson UK, oil company Dana Petroleum, and Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd, the backer of the Moray East project.